Defining Research Objects, Delimitation, and Hypothesis Formulation
Construction of the Object of Research
The beginning and end of research are not always presented with the necessary transparency. The confusing path of much research stems from a faulty definition of the subject for investigation.
The epistemologist insists that the object of research is a product of the researcher or the research itself and not a zero outside the research. However, the methodologist assumes an external reality on which to develop joint procedures. Methodological or design, or the
Read MoreWork Organization: Division of Labor, Taylorism, Fordism
Division of Labor: Foundational Concepts
Adam Smith argued that economic growth depends significantly on the division of labor. He stated that the “significant increase in production… depends on the division of labor” resulting from three key factors:
- First, the greater skill acquired by each individual worker.
- Second, saving the time commonly lost in transitioning between different tasks.
- Third, the invention of numerous machines that facilitate and shorten labor.
Charles Babbage (1792-1871) noted,
Read MoreLiberalism, Nationalism, and the Seeds of Revolution
Liberalism
The set of ideological and political transformations occurring in Europe and America between the late eighteenth century and the end of the Napoleonic empire established a school of thought and political/economic doctrine known as liberalism. Its main reference was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789), which aimed to cohere society based on citizens forming a nation unified by the State. Liberalism posits that society is composed of individuals, not estates, and defends
Read MoreMechanisms of Global Economic Cooperation and Integration
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration
Economic Cooperation: OECD & Official Development Assistance
International trade relations can exist in three states:
- Uncommitted Relations: Based merely on the transfer of goods and services between countries through commercial interactions.
- Economic Cooperation: Involves commercial relationships supplemented by formal agreements between countries.
- Integration: Goes beyond cooperation by eliminating barriers to approach and achieve a single market.
Note:
Read MoreMax Weber’s Three Types of Authority: A Sociological Analysis
Max Weber’s Three Types of Authority
Max Weber, a prominent sociologist, proposed a theory of authority encompassing three distinct types. He studied how authority is legitimized as a belief system. Weber’s three types of authority are traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational authority.
Traditional Authority
Traditional authority is legitimized by the sanctity of tradition. The ability and right to rule is passed on from one person to another. It does not change over time, does not facilitate social
Read MoreFamily, Society, and Social Norms: An Analysis
Family: Courtesy and Reproduction
The family is the oldest and most basic institution in society. However, the understanding of family varies across time and cultures, leading to different primary functions. Family reproduction encompasses:
- Regulation of Sexuality: Different family structures exist.
- Socio-cultural Functions: Diverse rules govern the collective transmission of cultural beliefs and values.
- Economic Task: The family serves as a fundamental economic unit within society.
Gender Roles:
- Matriarchal